A PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE tutor has been struck off after admitting to police that he had cocaine on college premises but later denying the offence to authorities.

The Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC) found Phillip Lewis, a former tutor at Pembrokeshire College, guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. The committee said Lewis provided inconsistent explanations about how he came into possession of the Class A drug.

Lewis accepted a police caution in January 2023, which is considered a full admission of the offence. Despite this, he later challenged the allegations, raising concerns about the police’s handling of the matter.

Maxine Thomas, the safeguarding lead at Pembrokeshire College, told the committee that CCTV footage from November 23, 2022, captured a packet of cocaine left on a counter shortly after Mr Lewis had been in the area. The footage also showed Lewis retracing his steps as if searching for something.

The committee reported that Lewis gave conflicting accounts of the incident, including differing accounts of where and when he claimed to have found the packet. His explanations did not match the evidence from the CCTV footage.

“He provided inconsistent details about the circumstances in which he came to possess the packet, none of which aligned with the CCTV evidence,” the committee’s report stated.

Lewis claimed he had discovered the packet in a corridor but lost it shortly afterward. The panel, however, concluded that he should have reported the find immediately if his account were truthful.

“The committee concluded that Mr Lewis brought the packet onto college premises himself and did not hand it in because of its illegal nature,” the panel’s findings read.

The panel deemed that possessing cocaine on college grounds and accepting a police caution constituted unacceptable professional conduct. While no direct harm to students was noted, the panel highlighted the significant risk posed by such actions during working hours.

In deciding to remove Lewis from the professional register, the committee acknowledged his prior good record and his participation in the EWC process. However, these factors were outweighed by aggravating considerations, including his attempts to cover up the incident, providing contradictory accounts, and failing to demonstrate insight or remorse.

Lewis will be eligible to apply for re-registration in two years.

A MAN walking along Hamilton Terrace just after 10:00am today (Dec 20) spotted loose lead on the apex of the roof of the former HSBC bank, sparking an emergency response.

The man, who noticed the unstable lead capstones, immediately alerted the police. Officers quickly attended the scene and called the fire brigade to address the safety hazard.

Hamilton Terrace, the A4076, was closed as firefighters from Haverfordwest Fire Station used a turntable ladder to access the roof and safely remove the loose lead. The road remained shut for approximately an hour, causing significant traffic delays in Milford Haven.

Among the disruptions, a Tesco lorry returning from the marina was diverted up Dartmouth Street, where it became stuck and had to reverse, narrowly avoiding a collision.

The closure also caused problems for delivery firms trying to access Milford Haven. Many residents expecting Christmas parcels today have had their deliveries rescheduled, creating frustration with only a few days left before Christmas.

Hamilton Terrace reopened after the lead was removed.

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods:

• Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 101

You can also provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers:

• Phone: 0800 555 111
• Website: crimestoppers-uk.org

Please quote reference number 24*944729 when providing information.